RIA [ Rich Internet Applications ]

Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are web applications that have most of the characteristics of desktop applications, typically delivered either by way of a standards based web browser, via a browser plug-in, or independently via sandboxes or virtual machines.[1] Examples of RIA frameworks include Ajax, Curl, GWT, Adobe Flash/Adobe Flex/AIR, Java/JavaFX,[2] Mozilla's XUL, OpenLaszlo and Microsoft Silverlight.[3]

These are web application that have characteristics of desktop applications.Rich Internet applications (RIAs) offer a rich, engaging experience that improves user satisfaction and increases productivity. Using the broad reach of the Internet, RIAs can be deployed across browsers and desktops.The key difference between RIAs and other Internet applications is the amount of interaction in the interface. In a traditional page-based Internet application, interaction is limited to a small set of standard controls such as checkboxes, radio buttons, form fields and buttons. This severely limits our ability to create usable and engaging applications, and most Internet applications have been clumsier and more difficult to use than their desktop counterparts.

List

OpenLaszlo
Flex 2
Apollo
JavaFX
ZK
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
Silverlite

JavaFX

JavaFX is a rich client platform for building cross-device applications and content. Designed to enable easy creation and deployment of rich Internet applications (RIAs) with immersive media and content, the JavaFX platform ensures that RIAs look and behave consistently across diverse form factors and devices.

Download and install the current release of JavaFX 1.2.1 SDK : http://javafx.com/downloads/

IDE Plugin : http://javafx.com/downloads/eclipse-plugin/

Eclipse : http://www.eclipse.org/downloads

Further Details : http://javafx.com/docs/gettingstarted/eclipse-plugin/index.jsp#whatisjavafx